May 22, 2011
Readings for The Fifth Sunday of Easter:
Acts 6:1-7: 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12
Directions were always very difficult when I
was studying Spanish in Guatemala
twenty-three years ago. Not because I did not
understand the language, Izquierda, derecha, derecho (left, right,
straight). The problem was that when you asked for simple
directions people would often point with their hands and say,
“go that direction and turn left, then go down a way and turn right,
then turn right again.” In the end you would have no idea where
your destination was.
That is how we often feel about life. We know that we have a
destination, we are heading in a certain direction, but sometimes
we can get a little lost. This is especially a question during this
time of the year. Here in our parish our young people have just
received the Sacrament of Confirmation and are now asking
(at least we are hoping they are asking) “Ok, what next, how am I
going to live out my Catholic faith?” Soon our eighth graders will
be graduating from elementary or secondary school and may
begin to wonder about the next step in their academic career.
High School students will be graduating and everyone will be
asking them, “where are you going to college, what are you going
to do with your life?” And college students will be graduating with
the expectation that they will have it all figured out; they will have
the rest of their lives planned; career, spouse, children, where
they will live… And the rest of us are chugging along, fulfilling
our life goals, but still we can tend to be lost and confused.
When we reflect on our own confusion in life we can easily
understand the confusion of the Apostles on the night of the Last
Supper. Jesus is talking about preparing a place for them and
that they know the way, but Thomas, totally oblivious, asks the
question, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can
we know the way?” Later, Philip, still confused, says, “Master,
show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Like us often
in our lives, the Apostles remain totally blind and confused as
they face their graduation, their next step after the death and
resurrection of their Lord.
Jesus’ direction for living, for the Apostles and for us is very clear.
We do not need a compass or a GPS to figure it out. First, he is
telling us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in
God; have faith also in me” (Jn 14:1). In many languages the
translation reads more simply, “Do not lose your peace.”
Remember, Jesus is saying this as He knows that the whole
world is going to come down upon Him, He is going to be
betrayed and offended in every way possible; however,
throughout His ordeal He will never lose his peace.
This is the clearest guide that our Lord can give us. Life can be
very confusing, but when we become overly anxious about those
things that do not matter we do not bring clarity to the situation. If
Jesus can find joy and peace as He is about to embrace the
cross, maybe our little dilemmas in life are not so significant.
Filled with the Spirit, the Apostles face a challenge in the first
reading from those who are questioning their distribution of food.
They do not lose their peace; they reflect, “What would Jesus
do?” and they select seven to be the first deacons to take care of
the resources of the Church.
Through all the big and small challenges that we will face in our
lives, through all of the confusion of this world, Jesus makes it
very simple. He is the way! If we ask that simple question “What
would Jesus do?” if we follow Jesus, we will not get lost. He is
the truth, not some college professor or some quack television
guru. The eternal love of the Father who became flesh for us,
who is present to us in the life of the Church, is the absolute truth.
It is through allowing Christ into our lives through prayer and the
sacraments that we are able to share in the fullness of life here in
this world and continue to share in the fullness of God’s joy in
heaven.
Life does not need to be so complicated. If we keep focused on
that which is important, the rest will fall into line.
 I want to say farewell to Brother Simon, who will be returning
to the Benedictine Monastery in Collegeville, MN. Brother
Simon has been a great friend of mine since the high school
seminary and we have been blessed to have him as our
guest for six months. We wish him a safe trip home and we
will keep him in our prayers.
The deadline for those interested in joining me on the
pilgrimage to Rome and Croatia is fast approaching. Last
year’s trip discovering the roots of our parishioners in Ischia
and Sicily was an exceptional experience that could only
have been accomplished with a group such as ours. This
trip to Croatia also looks like it will be a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to discover our true San Pedro roots. Please talk
to me, call the agency or my office if you would like more
information.
We are beginning a Young Adult Group starting with a Young
Adult Barbecue on Sunday, June 5th at 6pm in the Rectory.
Everyone between the ages of 21-30 is invited. Spread the
word!
God Bless,
Rev John F. Provenza
Pastor